Spain: so much more than paella and sangria.

By Jessica Clark


Spain is a favourite holiday destination amongst us Brits but, sadly, many of us have yet to tug ourselves away from the lure of the beach to find the treasures it has to offer. But then again, if you are reading this you're probably not out on the pull in Benidorm!

Quite apart from the cuisine, the weather, the friendly folk, the fashion Spain offers a myriad of amazing buildings. Its architecture is a fantastic mix of the old and the new: due to its gigantic geography and its intriguing history, Spanish architecture has been influenced by a horde of diverse sways. From the Roman through to the Renaissance, Christian, European, Arabic, Mediterranean and Northern European: a multitude of diverse ideas and inspirations have shaped the most fascinating constructions you will ever have the fortune to visit.After Italy, Spain has the second-highest UNESCO World Heritage sites due to the artistic beauty and historical significance of its architecture.

La Sagrada Familia, created by Antoni Gaudi from Catalonia, is a superb building to visit. Its situated in the bustling city of Barcelona and began its life way back in 1882. Gaudi managed to devote 40 years of his life to the construction, but it actually won't be completed in its entirety until 2026 - one year after its creator's death. Even in its unfinished state, its still definitely worth a visit. Its truly awe-inspiring from every angle and oozes a sense of deep respect for religion that even the most irreligious would be moved. Another site to behold in the infamous Barcelona is the Casa Mila: known as The Quarry (La Pedera). Believe it or not, this unique edifice is also the brainchild of Gaudi, despite its contrasting appearance to the La Sagrada Familia. A lot of restoration has taken place over the years, but it is now frequently lovingly looked after by the Caixa Catalunya Foundation.

Renowned Spanish artist Salvador Dali has much of his controversial work housed in the Dali Theatre-Museum in the city where he was born and where he died: Figueres. Inside, it is as zany and madcap as its namesake, even housing a vault where Dali is buried at its centre. But this will come as no surprise: the exterior castle design topped with massive sculptures of eggs is preparation enough for the eccentric whimsy of the interior.

And let's not forget the much celebrated architect Frank Gehry from Bilbao in the North, with his exquisite Guggenheim Museum. It truly is a building beyond imagination, constructed of titanium, glass and limestone. The genius behind this is that it reflects the sparkle of the river flowing alongside it. The museum is so dramatic and distinctive that its appeared in numerous music videos, computer games, as well as the recent Bond film "The World is not Enough".

If you can't get away to visit the beautiful country itself then you could always visit Home House this month instead. The Restaurant will be offering a Spanish themed night, with a full 3 course Spanish menu including tapas style starters and traditional Spanish paella amongst other offerings! Spanish cuisine is famed for being healthy and is influenced heavily by seafood due to Spain's rich maritime history.




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